The United States leaped out to a dream start in their 2026 World Cup debut on Friday with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in California to kick off Group D action, a result that said Folarin Balogun score twice.
This was after an own goal put the Stars and Stripes ahead inside the opening 10 minutes of the opening match for them.
A ruthless attacking performance from the co-hosts saw them overwhelm their South American opponents, who responded with a better performance in the second half with a goal from substitute Maurício before Giovanni Reyna’s excellent strike restored the three-goal advantage for the USA.
In the 7th minute, the co-hosts snatched the lead when Christian Pulisic cleverly manoeuvred past two defenders before passing to Weston McKinnie on the left wing.
McKinnie’s low cross attempt came off the foot of Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla and in for an own goal.
A few minutes after having a goal ruled offsides, Balogun scored his first in the 31st minute when Pulisic’s cross deflected into his path for a first-time strike.
The Monaco striker then added his second goal in the final moments of the first half with a perfectly placed finish into the top corner
The match died down in the second half, but Paraguay did well to fight back.
In the 73rd minute, they got a deserved goal when Julio Enciso set up Maurício for a powerful strike.
Reyna ended the match with a pleasing moment for the home team in stoppage time with a technical strike with the outside of his boot.
The USA will next face Australia in one week’s time in Seattle, Washington on the second matchday from Group C, while Paraguay face Türkiye in Santa Clara, California.
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